Administrative Staff

Curt Brungardt, Ph.D

Dr. Brungardt is the senior member and creator of the Department of Leadership Studies and the co-founder of the Center for Civic Leadership. He specializes in political leadership, social change, and community organizing. Dr. Brungardt is an author and co-author of several books and numerous articles and has presented over 150 workshops throughout the world. However, he is best known as a social entrepreneur creating and developing programs, both inside and outside of academia, that directly impact people's lives.

Jackie Gottschalk

Jackie serves as the office manager and financial officer for the Center for Civic Leadership and also is the administrative assistant for the Department of Leadership Studies. Jackie comes to the Center after a long, successful career with the local school district in Hays, Kansas.

Jalyn Shaw

Jalyn is a junior at Fort Hays State University majoring in Social Work and minoring in Spanish. She is very excited to have the opportunity to be working in the CCL. After Graduation, she plans to continue her education and attend graduate school.

Ali Sedbrook

Ali earned her Bachelor's degree from FHSU in Organizational Leadership and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Professional Studies with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership. Ali is eager to work with undergraduate students to assist with obtaining knowledge to turn into everyday action and success. Ali is also excited to further her educational, personal, and professional experiences with the Center for Civic Leadership working alongside the four major projects that it houses to bring awareness to both the FHSU campus and the community.

American Democracy Project

John Colclazier

John is a Junior at FHSU majoring in Political Science. He recently graduated from Hutchinson Community College with an Associates of Arts and an Associates of Science degree. He looks forward to the opportunity of working in the American Democracy Project and working to promote civic engagement. In addition to working for the American Democracy Project, John is a student senator in the Fort Hays' Student Government Association, as well as an active member in the Political Science Club.

Connor Mountford

Connor is a Sophomore at FHSU majoring in Political Science with interest in political theory and electoral politics. He is excited for the opportunity to help promote an active and engaged citizenry. In addition to the American Democracy Project, Connor is a member of the Young Democrats.

Global Leadership Project

Brett Whitaker

Brett Whitaker is a faculty member and administrator in the Department of Leadership Studies at Fort Hays State University (FHSU). His research and teaching interests include global leadership, global issues, civic engagement, higher education, and curricular design. Mr. Whitaker is currently pursuing a PhD in Global Leadership at Indiana Tech.

Alex Kultgen

Alex is a freshman at Fort Hays State University. She is majoring in Political Science and double minoring in Business Management and Criminal Justice. In addition to working for the Global Leadership Project, Alex is a member of the Political Science club and the College Republicans. After graduation, she hopes to attend Law school and then go on to help women and children in Third World countries.

Reilly Franek

Reilly is a sophomore at Fort Hays State University and is majoring in Political Science and Social Work. In addition to The Global Leadership Project Reilly is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, Fort Hays State University Honors Society, Fort Hays State University Honors College, Student Government Association, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. After graduation she hopes to attend graduate school.

Tigers In Service

Kaley Klaus

Kaley Klaus is a faculty member in the Department of Leadership Studies, and advises Tigers In Service and the American Democracy Project in the Center for Civic Leadership. She is also the director of the Voss Advanced Leadership Undergraduate Experience, and coordinates a variety of co-curricular leadership development opportunities for the student body.

Carla Parra-Martinez

Carla is a senior at FHSU majoring in Public Relations and Advertisement. She is a member of the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, Student Government Association and serves as the president of the FHSU Public Relations Student Society of America chapter. She is also highly involved with the orientation and transition team, having served as an orientation leader for 3 years. After graduation, she hopes to pursue her masters degree in Higher Education Student Affairs and work closely with first-generation college students.

Anneka Sundell

Anneka is a junior at FHSU majoring in Criminal Justice. She is a member of the criminal Justice club, National Residence Hall Honorary, and also serves as the Jana's Jewelry Coordinator. Her two main passions are raising awareness about dating and domestic violence and volunteering. In the future, she hopes to work in a branch of the federal government.

Women's Leadership Project

Hollie Marquess

Hollie Marquess is an instructor in the Department of History at Fort Hays State University and advises the Women's Leadership Project for the Center for Civic Leadership. She earned her B.A. and M.A. in History at FHSU with certificates in Women's and Gender Studies and Sociology. She is passionate about gender equality and working to prevent domestic and sexual violence.

Elaine Parkinson

Elaine is a junior at Fort Hays State University, where she is currently pursuing a major in psychology. She is interested in promoting gender equality and raising awareness for domestic violence, as well as many other types of social justice issues with her work in Women's Leadership Project. In the future, she hopes to open her own private psychological practice, providing therapeutic assistance to people in need.

Kandice Wright

Kandice Wright is a senior majoring in Organizational Leadership. She is passionate about raising awareness on domestic and dating violence, as well as helping people recognize they have value as an individual. Her other involvements at FHSU include Delta Zeta sorority, Cross Country and is a part of the Worship Team and Leadership Team at Encounter student ministry at Celebration Community Church.